Strawberry plant `Diamante`

ABSTRACT

`CN210` is a new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant of the day-neutral type which is more vigorous than `Selva` or `Seascape` and requires less chilling to maintain excellent fruit quality. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, `CN210` has much larger fruit and produces greater yields than the comparison cultivars.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as `CN210` also known as `Diamante`, which resulted from a cross performed in 1991 between advanced selections Cal 87.112-6 and Cal 88.270-1. The cultivar is botanically identified as F.×ananassa Duch.

`CN210` was first fruited at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, Calif. in 1992, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 91.248-6, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing the plant of this disclosure was designated `CN210`. With the decision that this plant was to be released, it was given the name `Diamante` for the purposes of introduction into commerce and for international registration and recognition. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at the Watsonville Strawberry Research Facility, the South Coast Research and Extension Center, and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 1994.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of the plant.

FIG. 2 depicts a typical mature leaf during late spring.

FIG. 3 depicts representative mid-season fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

`CN210` is moderate to weak in expressing the day-neutral character, being a stronger day-neutral than `Seascape` (U. S. Plant Pat. No. 7,614), comparable or slightly more day-neutral than `Selva` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,266), and less so than `Fern` (U. S. Plant Pat. No. 5,267) or `Irvine` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,172). The production pattern for `CN210` is similar to that for `Selva` or `Seascape`, and will be of special interest for winter plantings, where `Selva` and `Seascape` have been successful and summer plantings where `Seascape`, has been successful.

Plants and Foliage

Fruiting plants of `CN210` are more erect and usually more vigorous than plants of `Selva` or `Seascape`, but also are more open and compact. With appropriate treatment, plant size for `CN210` is similar to `Selva`, and slightly smaller than `Seascape`. Comparative statistics for foliar characters near mid-season are given for the three cultivars in Table 1. Leaflets are similar in size but substantially more rounded than leaves of `Selva` or `Seascape`. Leaves including petioles are somewhat shorter and broader than the comparison cultivars. Petioles are much thicker and more stiff than those of `Selva` and `Seascape`. `CN210` has variable leaf convexity, generally more concave than leaves of `Selva`, and has fewer and more rounded serrations than the comparison cultivars. The adaxial (upper) leaf surface for `CN210` is darker and more glossy than for `Selva` and similar to `Seascape`, whereas the abaxial surface is slightly lighter than either comparison cultivar (Table 2).

Isozymes in Leaf Extracts

`CN210` has been classified for three isozyme systems using starch gel electrophoresis (Table 3): Phosophoglucoisomerase (PGI), Leucine Aminopeptidase (LAP), and Phosphoglucomutase (PGM). It is distinguishable from `Selva` but not from `Seascape` using this methodology. For electrophoretic procedures see: J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106:684-687.

Disease and Pest Reaction

`CN210` is moderately susceptible to common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), and Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum), and is relatively resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spidermites (Tetranychus urticae) greater than `Seascape` and `Selva`. `CN210` is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.

Flowering, Fruiting, Fruit, and Production Characteristics

`CN210` is similar to other California day-neutral cultivars (e. g. `Selva` and `Seascape`) in that it will flower independently of day length, given appropriate temperature and fertility conditions. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters near mid-season are given for the three cltivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for `CN210` are similar in size to `Selva` and `Seascape`; the sepals are somewhat smaller than for `Seascape` and substantially larger than for `Selva`. The calyx for `CN210` varies from slightly indented to even, and each primary flower has 5-6 petals. The fruit shape for `CN210` can vary but is typically a long rounded conic, and is easily distinguished from other California day-neutral cultivars. External and internal fruit color for `CN210` are substantially lighter than for `Selva` and `Seascape`, and fruit is substantially more glossy than either comparison cultivar (Table 2). Achenes vary from yellow to red, and are slightly indented.

`CN210` has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those for `Selva` and `Seascape` are used. In general, `CN210` is more vigorous than the comparison cultivars and requires less chilling to maintain excellent fruit quality. `CN210` retains good fruit quality in summer planting systems, similar to `Seascape`.

When treated with appropriate planting regimes, `CN210` has much larger fruit and produces greater yields than `Selva` or `Seascape` (Table 5). Production for `CN210` initiates at dates similar to the comparision cultivars and it produces slightly larger quantities of late-season fruit. Commercial appearance ratings have been superior to those for the comparison cultivars. Fruit firmness is similar to that for `Selva` and greater than that for `Seascape`. Subjectively, `CN210` has excellent flavor, substantially better than `Selva` or `Seascape`. The fruit will be outstanding for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home garden purposes.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Foliar characteristics for `CN210`, `Selva` and                                `Seascape`.                                                                    Foliar      Cultivar                                                           Character   `Selva`    `Seascape` `CN210`                                      ______________________________________                                         Mid-tier leaflet                                                               Length (mm)                                                                    mean        72.6       72.8       64.9                                         range       65-88      65-82      57-72                                        Width (mm)                                                                     mean        68.2       64.5       68.4                                         range       51-84      48-78      63-76                                        Mid-tier leaf                                                                  Length (mm)                                                                    mean        119.2      123.8      117.9                                        range       94-139     80-155     89-145                                       Width (mm)                                                                     mean        130.1      127.1      124.7                                        range       111-170    108-150    115-139                                      #           3          3, rarely 4                                                                               3                                            leaflets/leaf                                                                  Leaf convexity                                                                             mostly flat to                                                                            concave to concave to                                               convex     convex, mostly                                                                            convex, mostly                                                      flat to convex                                                                            flat                                         Serrations                                                                     number      few-moderate                                                                              moderate   moderate                                     shape       round to   semiround to                                                                              rounded to                                               semipointed                                                                               semipointed                                                                               semipointed                                  Leaf        moderate   moderate   moderate                                     pubescence                                                                     Petiole pubescence                                                             density     heavy      mod. to heavy                                                                             heavy                                        direction   perpendicular                                                                             perp to slight                                                                            perpendicular                                                       acropetal                                               ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Foliar and fruit color characteristics for                                     `CN210`, `Selva`, and `Seascape`                                               Color          Cultivar                                                        Character      `Selva`   `Seascape`                                                                               `CN210`                                     ______________________________________                                         Leaf color (CIELAB)                                                            Adaxial                                                                        L*                                                                             mean           31.9      29.1      30.4                                        range          30.2-33.7 26.9-32.3 28.4-32.1                                   a*                                                                             mean           -6.5      -5.1      -6.5                                        range          -5.8--7.2 -2.4--6.6 -6.3--6.7                                   b*                                                                             mean           12.7      11.3      11.1                                        range          9.8-15.8  9.5-16.5  9.7-14.0                                    Munsell        2.5G 3/3  2.5GY 4/3 2.5GY 5/5                                   Abaxial                                                                        L*                                                                             mean           48.3      48.3      50.3                                        range          47.2-50.4 47.0-49.6 48.8-51.7                                   a*                                                                             mean           -7.7      -7.2      -8.0                                        range          -7.3--8.3 -6.3--8.0 -7.7--8.3                                   b*                                                                             mean           -17.9     18.1      18.2                                        range          16.7-19.4 16.7-19.0 16.0-19.6                                   Munsell        7.5GY 4/4 10GY 4/5  7GY 4/4                                     Fruit color (CIELAB)                                                           External                                                                       L*                                                                             mean           28.5      25.4      29.4                                        range          23.7-33.1 22.7-31.5 25.9-31.7                                   a*                                                                             mean           29.7      28.7      36.2                                        range          26.9-31.5 25.4-33.1 32.8-39.2                                   b*                                                                             mean           16.9      13.7      20.7                                        range          14.4-22.1 9.3-19.8  16.7-27.0                                   Munsell        5R 4/12   5R 3/7    7.5R 5/13                                                            5R 4/12                                               Internal                                                                       L*                                                                             mean           48.8      45.5      61.2                                        range          44.4-53.1 38.3-55.0 52.6-66.2                                   a*                                                                             mean           35.2      37.8      18.7                                        range          31.5-39.5 30.8-42.7 13.5-31.3                                   b*                                                                             mean           29.4      26.9      16.4                                        range          26.9-33.9 21.9-34.2 13.4-24.6                                   Munsell        5R 5/13   7R 5/13   7.5R 8/6                                    ______________________________________                                          *CIELAB is the abbreviation of the international color system known as         "Commission Internationale De L'Eclairage" 1978. Recommendations on            uniform color spaces - color difference equations, psychometric color          terms, Supplement No. 2 to CIE Publication No. 15. PARIS.                

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Isozyme phenotypes for `CN210`, `Selva`, and                                   `Seascape`.                                                                            Cultivar                                                               locus   `Selva`       `Seascape`                                                                              `CN210`                                         ______________________________________                                         PGI     A2            A4       A4                                              LAP     B3            B3       B3                                              PGM     C2            C2       C2                                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Flower and fruit characters for `CN210`, `Selva`,                              and `Seascape`                                                                             Cultivar                                                           Character   `Selva`    `Seascape` `CN210`                                      ______________________________________                                         # petals                                                                       mean        5.8        6.1        5.1                                          range       5-8        5-7        5-6                                          Flower      even       most even  mostly exposed                               position    or interior                                                                               some interior                                           (relative to           or exposed                                              foliage)                                                                       Calyx diam. (mm)                                                               mean        29.0       35.7       34.3                                         range       22-35      30-40      31-39                                        Corolla diam. (mm)                                                             mean        37.5       35.7       33.0                                         range       31-43      32-40      30-38                                        Fruit shape                                                                    length/width                                                                   ratio       1.16       1.15       1.18                                         range       1.02-1.25  1.00-1.31  1.11-1.32                                    subjective  conic to flat                                                                             mostly sharp                                                                              mostly rounded                                           conic      conic      conic                                        Calyx position                                                                             even with  even/slight                                                                               slight indent                                            shoulder   neck                                                    Seed position                                                                              even/slight                                                                               slight indent                                                                             slight indent                                            extrude    to slight                                                                      extrude                                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Performance of `CN210`, `Selva`, and `Seascape`                                evaluated at the Watsonville Research Facility in 1995 and 1996.               All plants for these materials were harvested from Macdoel on                  October 16 or 17, and planted with three weeks supplemental                    storage prior to planting. Harvest was initiated in early April                and continued through the first week of October.                               (52" 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre,                                           100 grams/plant = 316.3 crates/acre)                                                           Late                                                                  Yield    Yield    Appearance                                                                             Size                                          Item   (g/plant)                                                                               (g/plant)                                                                               Score   (g/fruit)                                                                             Firmness                               ______________________________________                                         `Seava`                                                                               1,764    389      3.2     24.4   7.3                                    `Seascape`                                                                            1,832    375      3.3     24.0   6.9                                    `CN210`                                                                               2,035    440      4.1     30.7   8.1                                    ______________________________________                                          Late yield includes harvest from August 20 through October 10.           

When `Diamante` is compared to `Aromas` (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 08/747,506, filed Nov. 12, 1996), it is found that `Diamante` forms larger fruit that is lighter in coloration especially on interior fruit, and tends to be somewhat less productive. 

I claim:
 1. The new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant substantially as herein described and illustrated. 